Cyclist's ride draws attention to local government service

Published: Sunday, January 1, 2006 at 6:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Sunday, January 1, 2006 at 12:00 a.m.

GAINESVILLE - People do long bike rides for lots of different charities and causes, but William Whitson may be the first to do it to call attention to the importance of local government officials.
Whitson is the president of the Florida City and County Management Association, and he cruised through western Alachua County Saturday on his way from Pensacola to Key West.
"We want to encourage young people to consider public service in local government management as a career option," Whitson said earlier in the week.
Whitson, the assistant city manager of Port Orange, bikes more than 3,000 miles a year.
Donations are being accepted with the money to go to the association's foundation to increase professional education and training efforts for local government management in Florida.
Alachua County Manager Randall Reid said a primary goal of the association is to ensure ethics in the profession.
"Many people are not aware that elected officials hire professionally trained managers," Reid said. "But because you are professionally trained doesn't make you a professional. A large degree of that depends on ethics and integrity."
Whitson started his tour Tuesday and expects it to end it on Jan. 12 in Key West.

GAINESVILLE - People do long bike rides for lots of different charities and causes, but William Whitson may be the first to do it to call attention to the importance of local government officials.<BR>
Whitson is the president of the Florida City and County Management Association, and he cruised through western Alachua County Saturday on his way from Pensacola to Key West.<BR>
"We want to encourage young people to consider public service in local government management as a career option," Whitson said earlier in the week.<BR>
Whitson, the assistant city manager of Port Orange, bikes more than 3,000 miles a year.<BR>
Donations are being accepted with the money to go to the association's foundation to increase professional education and training efforts for local government management in Florida.<BR>
Alachua County Manager Randall Reid said a primary goal of the association is to ensure ethics in the profession.<BR>
"Many people are not aware that elected officials hire professionally trained managers," Reid said. "But because you are professionally trained doesn't make you a professional. A large degree of that depends on ethics and integrity."<BR>
Whitson started his tour Tuesday and expects it to end it on Jan. 12 in Key West.<BR>